Brazilian forward was Real’s first choice over Welsh winger.
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Real Madrid reportedly lined up Brazilian starlet Neymar as their number one transfer target during the summer, before signing Gareth Bale from Totteham as their second choice, Goal.com reports.
With the two old rivals set to meet in El Clasico this weekend, much has been made of two of the side’s biggest transfers during the summer as Neymar and Bale prepare for their Clasico debuts.
Despite it being widely acknowledged that Real Madrid tracked the services of the Welsh winger for much of the summer, eventually signing the 24-year-old for a world record fee of £85m, it has now emerged that they only stepped up their interest in the former Tottenham man after Neymar snubbed them in favour of a move to the Nou Camp.
Whilst Bale’s impressive form saw him named player of the year in the Premier League last season, Neymar’s dazzling displays in his native Brazil for former side Santos saw him become rated as one of the best young players in the world.
The 21-year-old eventually moved to Barcelona for around £48m, but if Real had had their way the exciting forward could have been lining up in a white shirt for this Saturday’s clash.